RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

		INDEX CODE 100.00
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBERS:  BC-2004-00622
		
	 .	COUNSEL:  None

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  Yes

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be granted a waiver of Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree requirements and be awarded a degree in Airport Resource Management.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The CCAF degree requirements included three semester hour courses in Mathematics. He feels he fulfilled the Mathematics requirement through completion of a college-level course with a grade of “D.” He indicates he has taken the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test in Mathematics three times and never scored above a “D.” He feels it is unjust and a waste of time and money to improve from a “D” to a “C” when this is a matter of one-half of a percentage point. He has exhausted all other means to obtain his CCAF degree.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 14 Jan 02, the applicant requested a waiver of CCAF’s Mathematics requirements because he was unable to attain the required grade. He requested CCAF accept the University of Maryland’s math course in fulfillment of CCAF’s Mathematics requirement. His final grade for the 1998 course completion was “D.” In a 26 Jun 02 letter, CCAF/CC denied the applicant’s waiver request and advised he needed three semester hours in Mathematics and one semester hour in Oral Communication to graduate.

The applicant filed an Inspector General (IG) complaint on 2 Oct 02. He again requested a waiver for the Mathematics course and one hour of Oral Communication and that he be awarded the AAS degree. He pointed out his Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Law and Psychology, his Master of Science degree in Education, and his registration for a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. He argued time and money should not continue to be spent on a course he could not attain. He contended he deserved the degree after 23.5 years in the Air Force.

Apparently, the applicant’s complaint was not a matter coming under the IG’s purview. As a result, and in response to the applicant’s IG/Waiver complaint, the CCAF denied his request for a waiver, in a letter dated 23 Jan 04, stating there were no extenuating circumstances warranting approval of a waiver.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

CCAF/CC notes the applicant does not provide any information on how the one semester hour in Oral Communication will be made up. CCAF contends that, because the applicant was unable or unwilling to satisfy all CCAF requirements for the AAS degree, he has requested that CCAF lower its standards and award him a degree. Failure to attain a standard is not a justification for lowering the standard. Denial is recommended. 

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 2 Apr 04 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded he should be granted a waiver of CCAF degree requirements and awarded an AAS degree in Airport Resource Management. Although the applicant argues he has other degrees and many years of military service, he has not presented extenuating circumstances that support exempting him from degree requirements other CCAF students were required to satisfy and have attained. We agree that an individual’s inability to achieve a standard does not justify lowering that standard. We therefore adopt the rationale expressed by the Air Force as the basis for our decision that the applicant has not sustained his burden of 
having suffered either an error or an injustice. In view of the above and absent persuasive evidence to the contrary, we conclude this appeal should be denied.  

4.	The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.
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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 12 May 2004 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-00622 was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Feb 04, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Letter, CCAF/CC, dated 23 Mar 04.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Apr 04.